Pamela Gayle Smith

WE GAVE

We raised our son,
to be a good man,
to help others,
“anyway you can.”

Now these words
are haunting you and me,
for he has left
to help keep the world free.

We raised our daughter,
to be a good woman,
to help others,
“anyway you can.”

Now these words
are haunting you and me,
for she has left,
to help keep the world free.

This son and daughter
have made us proud,
but as their parents,
wanting them home is allowed.

It was hard for us to watch them go;
we were filled with both pride and fear,
remembering all their childhood days,
watching them grow from year to year.

It’s a familiar sight all around the USA,
families gathered at the departure gate,
for just one last hug and one last kiss,
knowing the next one depends on fate.

Silently pleading with their God,
to keep them safe and bring them back,
while they do their duty for their country,
protecting Americans from another attack.

As the plane lifts into the air,
they wave and smile one last time,
the fixed smiles now turn to tears,
as the plane continues to climb.